ENRD Newsletter January 2016

NEWS:

• New Circular Economy action plan  

Reducing waste along the whole food supply chain is one of the main components of the EU’s new Circular Economy Package. The package includes targeted funding and actions to boost competitiveness, create jobs and generate sustainable growth.

The broad set of measures to achieve a more resource-efficient economy in Europe was launched in December 2015. It will support ‘closing the loop’ of product lifecycles through greater recycling and re-use, thus maintaining the value of products, materials and resources for as long as possible, while minimising the generation of waste.

A recent EIP-AGRI publication “Opportunities for agriculture and forestry in the circular economy” features case studies exploring ways for rural development stakeholders to contribute to and benefit from the circular economy.

• ENRD thematic work progressing into 2016 

The ENRD Contact Point (CP) organised its first Thematic Group meetings on the subjects of ‘Smart and Competitive Rural Areas’ and ‘Promoting the Transition to the Green Economy’ in December 2015. A number of follow-on activities are now planned for 2016.

Further Thematic Group meetings, larger European Seminars and publications associated with each theme will be delivered by the CP in 2016. More information on these outputs and opportunities to get involved will be made available under the thematic section of the ENRD website.

Please contact the CP to contribute your views and examples of good practice supported under the Rural Development Programmes (RDPs), in particular around:

•using data or technology to improve agricultural production; modern technology to support rural business and services (contact David Lamb);

•waste reduction, improved resource-efficiency and climate-friendly practices, including circular or bio-economy approaches in agriculture and forestry  (contact John Grieve).

See more information on the ENRD web page:

http://newsletter.enrd.eu/201601/